When we talk of succulents, it is usually referred to the plants with thickened, fleshy, and engorged parts, which are designed to retain water in arid conditions. It comes from the Latin word sucus, which means “juice” or “sap”. It is sure that you must have seen one around you as well especially these days when they have become so popular. They are preferred by a large number of people because of their low maintenance qualities and their ability to survive under a lot of circumstances. Aren’t those just the perfect reasons to love them and get them tattooed? If not, there is so much more to just their cute looks. Succulents are symbolic of a lot of things. Let’s read more to find out.
Meaning of Succulent Tattoo Designs
Since there is a large variety of succulent plants, and hence there are a lot of different meanings associated with them, some specific to particular species of succulents. For instance-
Often associated with good fortune, growth, and renewal, the money plant tattoo, also known as the Jade plant, is a very popular succulent tattoo design. There is no doubt that it could represent meaning for people who are trying to redefine themselves after a rough period of time.
Another very popular succulent plant- the cactus is used to symbolize survival and motherly love. The Cactus tattoo is a reminder that everyone has different environments that they flourish in or the fact that no matter how harsh the conditions are, it is still possible to bloom. They are hence popular among people who want to represent resilience and toughness.
Aloe vera is another popular succulent and is becoming increasingly popular for a tattoo since it symbolizes joy, love, patience, togetherness, and protection. It is also symbolic of being a healer since aloe vera in itself is a great healer because of its properties.
In general, all succulents are representative of everlasting and enduring love, which is why they make great tattoos for couples or people who want to express their love for someone. They can also be associated with adaptability, resilience, growth, self-reliability, and protection. Some common succulents that you may come across are Aeonium, Agave, Aloe, Echeveria, Euphorbia, Opuntia, and many more. But you need not be confused, we got a list of some of the prettiest and most symbolic ones for you in this article. Read on!
Ideas For Succulent Tattoo Designs
Succulents usually come in small pots, so you could go for a small tattoo of a potted succulent in black ink. You could also display not one but many succulents in a row in color or black and grey.
Another idea would be to go for specific succulents like Aloe vera and Cactus that are quite common and have a symbolic significance as well.
Combining different elements like succulents with bees, trees, text or natural elements like the sun and moon is a very trendy idea. It does give some bulk to the tattoo and increases the aesthetics as well. Another option is to go for a rather simple and minimalist tattoo like outline tattoos. Look at our list of some of the best succulent tattoos out there!
List of Succulent Tattoo Designs & Meanings
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Arm
Other Locations: Thigh, Back, and Leg
Tattoo Style: Stick and Poke tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey are ideal for this tattoo style
Who is it More Suitable For: Women
Author’s Review: The simple yet impactful design makes this tattoo an ideal choice for the first-time wearers.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Ankle
Other Locations: Wrist, Side of the neck, Nape of the neck
Tattoo Style: Stick and poke tattoo
Other Elements: A hanging tassel or a few flowers could be added
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey are ideal for the tattoo
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: Small and minimalistic design representing abundance and selfless love.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Wrist
Other Locations: Behind the ear, Nape of the neck, Side of the hand, or Fingers.
Tattoo Style: Minimalistic
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: The green-colored cactus and the earthly pot complement each other really well.
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The minimalistic small design makes it hardly visible and hence perfect for people who do not want to go for bold and big tattoos.
- Succulent Tattoo Design behind the Ear
Other Locations: Wrist, Ankles, Neck, Fingers, Shoulder blade.
Tattoo Style: Minimalistic
Other Elements: Can be combined with a small sun since it goes with the cactus depicting its natural habitat.
Colors/Black & Grey: Black outline tattoo can be done in green as well if you prefer a colorful tattoo
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The location of the tattoo makes it easy to cover and discreet.
- Aloe Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Back, Leg and waist
Tattoo Style: neo-traditional tattoo
Other Elements: Light Bulbs: symbolize enlightenment and the deep thinking habit
Colors/Black & Grey: The red animal print on the pot could be replaced with a brighter purple or yellow.
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The aloe is a perfect representation of joy and togetherness.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Arms
Other Locations: From Wrist to Hands, From Legs to Ankles
Tattoo Style: Blackwork tattoo
Other Elements: Extra flowers and leaves can be added to give more density to the tattoo
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey give the tattoo a very clean look despite the heavy design
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: This tattoo covers both arms, has a very unique design, and gives a variety of succulent plants to be displayed.
- Colorful Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Leg, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Watercolor tattoo
Other Elements: Not needed
Colors/Black & Grey: Watercolor tattoos look the best when filled with vibrant colors
Who is it More Suitable For: Women
Author’s Review: This is a very bold choice for the tattoo, just like the succulents themselves.
- Couple Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Shoulder blades, Waist
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional + Watercolor tattoo
Other Elements: The stars and the colorful cloud from the bottle give it a very magical appearance
Colors/Black & Grey: This design looks the best when tattooed in color
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Women and Men
Author’s Review: Succulents are a symbol of unconditional long-lasting love and these matching tattoos do justice to their meaning
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Bicep
Other Locations: Thigh, Back
Tattoo Style: Blackwork tattoo
Other Elements: Dotted patterns and small floral twigs make the succulent tattoo more aesthetic.
Colors/Black & Grey:
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The hanging ‘String of pearls’ succulent tattoo represents a journey that could be literal, spiritual, or life journey.
- Wolf Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Legs, Thigh, Back, Shoulder
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: Some pine cone trees or hills can be added in the background to make the tattoo wilder and to showcase the word in its natural habitat.
Colors/Black & Grey: Coloured tattoo is preferred and looks more lively for this design
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: Wolves are symbolic of loyalty, and strong family ties that can be combined with a succulent’s representation of love
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Forearm
Other Locations: Shoulder, Chest, Waist, Collar, Neck
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Coloured is preferred because the green makes it clear that it is a succulent and not a flower
Who is it More Suitable For: Women
Author’s Review: This highly aesthetic and neat tattoo uses the shades of green and blue very beautifully to depict a succulent
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Hand
Other Locations: Wrist, Neck, Nape of the Neck, Waist
Tattoo Style: Fineline tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: The tattoo looks better in green than it would in black and grey. The pot could be added with some extra colors.
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Women and Men
Author’s Review: Hand tattoos need more care than other areas since they are exposed to the sun more often.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Shoulder
Other Locations: Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: The colored tattoo is preferred for this design
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: This is the ‘Aeonium’ variety of the succulent representing survival and toughness.
- Symmetrical Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Chest, Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Dotwork + Geometric
Other Elements: Not needed
Colors/Black & Grey: A few succulent leaves can be colored green according to the choice
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The mandala-like symmetry in a floral fashion represent new beginnings and balance
- Succulent Tattoo Design with Text
Other Locations: Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: The text added below the tattoo serves as a reminder and can be changed according to what you prefer
Colors/Black & Grey: Both colorful or black and grey would be suitable
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The rosette pattern of arrangement represents an open mind along with other qualities represented by a succulent
- Succulent in a Bottle Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Thigh, Back, Leg
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: The bottle element brings a new meaning to the tattoo
Colors/Black & Grey: The colored version is preferable to separate out the details in the tattoo
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The succulents in the bottle could represent that the person does not open up easily
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Wrist
Other Locations:
Tattoo Style: Negative space tattoo + minimalist tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Both would be appropriate however the colorful tattoo would look more dynamic for this design
Who is it More Suitable For: Women
Author’s Review: The size of the tattoo is small which makes it very aesthetic and a tattoo of choice for areas like these.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Heel
Other Locations: Wrist, Neck, Nape of the neck, Chest
Tattoo Style: Outline tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black outline color gives it a very subtle and simple look.
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: It represents adaptability and a willingness to move to new environments
- Succulent Tattoo Design near the Elbow
Other Locations: Legs, Shoulder, Back
Tattoo Style: Fine line + Neo-traditional tattoo
Other Elements: Sun: represents life and light
Colors/Black & Grey: The color in the tattoo especially the sun makes it very vibrant
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The pot also features a horseshoe-like symbol. This tattoo is perfect for people who are looking for an aesthetic tattoo.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Thigh
Other Locations: Back
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: Crystals and a whale are the other elements along with succulents
Colors/Black & Grey: The color highlights the different elements of the tattoo
Who is it More Suitable For: Women
Author’s Review: The whale is a symbol of power and wisdom and the succulents are perfectly placed in the tattoo to make it look like an ecosystem of its own.
- Succulent in a Glass Dome Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Back, Waist
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: A lot of other elements are added here, like cat, crystals, and mushrooms that make this tattoo very interesting
Colors/Black & Grey: Colors would be definitely preferred for this design
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: This glass-encased succulent tattoo hints toward a person who is very comfortable in their own company.
- Creative Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Legs, Back, Waist
Tattoo Style: Stick and poke tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Both colored or Black and Grey would make a good choice
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Women and Men
Author’s Review: So many varieties represent selfless love and tenacity and are a perfect choice for people who want to represent that.
- Cactus Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Leg, Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: The colored version would be preferred for this particular design
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The cactus with succulents is the perfect combination for the tattoo.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Foot
Other Locations: Arm, Leg
Tattoo Style: Fineline tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey would look more aesthetic
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: A general love for succulents and their symbolism is clearly made visible with this tattoo
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Wrist
Other Locations: Ankle, Neck, Waist, Shoulder
Tattoo Style: Fineline tattoo
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Green color could be added to the leaves for accurate depiction of Aloe Vera
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: Aloe Vera is associated with very positive energy and hence a tattoo on the wrist can be a reminder of that.
- Succulent Tattoo Design behind the Ear
Other Locations: Wrist, Nape of the neck, Ankle
Tattoo Style: Neo-traditional
Other Elements: Not required
Colors/Black & Grey: Both colored or Black and grey would be suitable
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: Behind the ear is a perfect place to get tattooed for the wallflowers who do not want to go all out with their tattoos.
- Geometric Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Thigh, Back, Legs
Tattoo Style: Fine line + Geometric tattoo
Other Elements: Dotted circles on the top could represent wholeness or life in general
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey looks the best for this design
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The aloe plant stands for healing and protection and so do the geometric patterns that add to the beauty of the tattoo.
- Framed Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Back, Thigh, Waist, Back of the Shoulder
Tattoo Style: Neo contemporary
Other Elements: Not needed
Colors/Black & Grey: Colors are fitting perfectly on the tattoo
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The black lines give an illusion of a metallic frame that the succulents are taking support in and could represent adaptability.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Nape of the Neck
Other Locations: Back, Thigh, Shoulder
Tattoo Style: Black and grey tattoo
Other Elements: Some extra petals can be added around the succulent
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey is the natural color of the symbol ying-yang.
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Women and Men
Author’s Review: The ying-yang teaches us balance and is a reminder of coexistence of good and bad just like succulents can grow in really harsh conditions.
- Succulent Tattoo Design on the Arm
Other Locations: Legs, Thigh, Waist, Neck or Chest
Tattoo Style: Blackwork tattoo
Other Elements: Not needed
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey suit the blackwork tattoo the best
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: The succulents arranged one above the other signify growth and progress.
- Hanging Succulent Tattoo Design
Other Locations: Leg, Biceps, Neck, Chest
Tattoo Style: Fine line tattoo
Other Elements: A hanging pot can be added instead of the lower triangular region filled with soil
Colors/Black & Grey: Leaves can be colored green to make the tattoo more vibrant
Who is it More Suitable For: Both Men and Women
Author’s Review: One of the most elegant-looking tattoos that highlight the originality and could also depict care and nurturing nature.
